Abstract: The invention provides conductive compositions of matter, as well as methods for the preparation of the conductive compositions of matter, solutions comprising the conductive compositions of matter, and methods of preparing fibers or fabrics having improved anti-static properties employing the conductive compositions of matter.

Abstract: A pretensioner for a seat belt system has first and second piston-cylinder arrangements arranged generally one on each side of a spool shaft so that in travelling along the respective cylinder, each piston engages the periphery of the spool shaft and causes it to rotate. A sensor is responsive to a crash situation to detonate a first piston drive means, and means for detonating a drive means for the second piston at the end of the stroke of the first piston. The spool shaft may be a component of a seat belt retractor. Alternatively, the spool shaft is wound with a cable that pulls on a seat belt or seat belt buckle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a simplified integrated steering wheel assembly and a simplified method for forming the integrated steering wheel assembly. The integrated steering wheel assembly has a one-piece steering wheel armature and an airbag scrim. A cover is molded over a portion of the steering wheel armature and a portion of the airbag scrim. The airbag scrim forms a cavity for placement of an airbag and an airbag inflator between the airbag scrim and a hub portion of the steering wheel armature. The method of the invention includes use of a plurality of positioning pins and a vacuum force to position the airbag scrim relative to the steering wheel armature and mold during the possess of molding the cover over a portion of the steering wheel armature and a portion of the airbag scrim.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for converting vapor streams from sources containing at least one nitrogen-containing oxidizing agent therein to a liquid fertilizer composition comprising the steps of:a) directing a vapor stream containing at least one nitrogen-containing oxidizing agent to a first contact zone,b) contacting said vapor stream with water to form nitrogen oxide(s) from said at least one nitrogen-containing oxidizing agent,c) directing said acid(s) as a second stream to a second contact zone,d) exposing said second stream to hydrogen peroxide which is present within said second contact zone in a relative amount of at least 0.

Abstract: A plant chlorophyll content meter is described which collects light reflected from a target plant and separates the collected light into two different wavelength bands. These wavelength bands, or channels, are described as having center wavelengths of 700 nm and 840 nm. The light collected in these two channels are processed using photo detectors and amplifiers. An analog to digital converter is described which provides a digital representation of the level of light collected by the lens and falling within the two channels. A controller provided in the meter device compares the level of light reflected from a target plant with a level of light detected from a light source, such as light reflected by a target having 100% reflectance, or transmitted through a diffusion receptor. The percent of reflection in the two separate wavelength bands from a target plant are compared to provide a ratio which indicates a relative level of plant physiological stress.

Abstract: A method for increasing the effectiveness of a permeable treatment wall is described. The method includes the introduction of ultrasonic radiation in or near the wall. A permeable treatment wall is also described which has an ultrasonic radiation generating transducer in or near the wall. Permeable treatment walls are described as having either a well vertically extending into the wall, or a rod vertically extending into the treatment wall. Additionally, a method for adapting a permeable treatment wall to allow for the introduction of ultrasonic radiation in or near the wall is described.

Abstract: Seat belt tension is determined by measuring the resistance of a flexible potentiometer which is deformed to produce a controlled change in resistance with increased belt tension. A seat belt mounting has a spring which allows limited extension of the seat belt in response to belt tension. A flexible potentiometer is mounted to the spring so that spring deformation produces a change in resistance which can be directly correlated to belt tension. Belt tension is input to an airbag deployment logic which may incorporate a seat position sensor, a weight-on-seat sensor and various other sensors which detect the existence, size and direction of any crash. The logic draws conclusions from the tension sensor in the seat belt and other sensors to determine if deployment of the front passenger airbag is likely to be advantageous to an occupant of the front passenger seat.

Abstract: A seat occupant sensing system has a plurality of variable resistance force sensors located between a rigid seat support member and the floor of the vehicle. The force transferred from the rigid seat support member to the floor of the vehicle passes through said variable resistance force sensors which sense the magnitude of the force transferred therethrough and generate a signal which is indicative of the force transferred therethrough resistance force sensors interposed between a rigid seat support member and a rigid seat pan member such that the weight supported by the seat pan member is transferred from the seat pan member to the seat support member via said at least one variable resistance force sensor which senses the magnitude of the weight transferred therethrough. A device, such as a microprocessor, processes a signal from the variable resistance force sensors to determine the weight that the rigid seat pan member is bearing.

Abstract: A non-intrusive electrical cable tester determines the nature and location of a discontinuity in a cable through application of an oscillating signal to one end of the cable. The frequency of the oscillating signal is varied in increments until a minimum, close to zero voltage is measured at a signal injection point which is indicative of a minimum impedance at that point. The frequency of the test signal at which the minimum impedance occurs is then employed to determine the distance to the discontinuity by employing a formula which relates this distance to the signal frequency and the velocity factor of the cable. A numerically controlled oscillator is provided to generate the oscillating signal, and a microcontroller automatically controls operation of the cable tester to make the desired measurements and display the results. The device is contained in a portable housing which may be hand held to facilitate convenient use of the device in difficult to access locations.

Abstract: An ultrasonic bolt gage is described which uses a cross-correlation algorithm to determine a tension applied to a fastener, such as a bolt. The cross-correlation analysis is preferably performed using a processor operating on a series of captured ultrasonic echo waveforms. The ultrasonic bolt gage is further described as using the captured ultrasonic echo waveforms to perform additional modes of analysis, such as feature recognition. Multiple tension data outputs, therefore, can be obtained from a single data acquisition for increased measurement reliability. In addition, one embodiment of the gage has been described as multi-channel, having a multiplexer for performing a tension analysis on one of a plurality of bolts.

Abstract: A load limiting device is used with a vehicle seat belt during a crash to allow a limited and controlled forward motion of a vehicle occupant after the retractor has locked. The load limiting device decreases the forces exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle occupant's torso. The load limiting device has a metal member and means for deforming the metal member associated with the seat belt. Excessive load on the seat belt is transferred to the metal member by deforming the metal member.

Abstract: The invention provides conductive compositions of matter, as well as methods for the preparation of the conductive compositions of matter, solutions comprising the conductive compositions of matter, and methods of preparing fibers or fabrics having improved anti-static properties employing the conductive compositions of matter.

Abstract: An optical imaging system provides automatic co-registration of a plurality of multi spectral images of an object which are generated by a plurality of video cameras or other optical detectors. The imaging system includes a modular assembly of beam splitters, lens tubes, camera lenses and wavelength selective filters which facilitate easy reconfiguration and adjustment of the system for various applications. A primary lens assembly generates a real image of an object to be imaged on a reticle which is positioned at a fixed length from a beam splitter assembly. The beam splitter assembly separates a collimated image beam received from the reticle into multiple image beams, each of which is projected onto a corresponding one of a plurality of video cameras. The lens tubes which connect the beam splitter assembly to the cameras are adjustable in length to provide automatic co-registration of the images generated by each camera.

Abstract: A cable tester is described for low frequency testing of a cable for faults. The tester allows for testing a cable beyond a point where a signal conditioner is installed, minimizing the number of connections which have to be disconnected. A magnetic pickup coil is described for detecting a test signal injected into the cable. A narrow bandpass filter is described for increasing detection of the test signal. The bandpass filter reduces noise so that a high gain amplifier provided for detecting a test signal is not completely saturate by noise. To further increase the accuracy of the cable tester, processing gain is achieved by comparing the signal from the amplifier with at least one reference signal emulating the low frequency input signal injected into the cable. Different processing techniques are described evaluating a detected signal.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and quantizing particle fallout contamination particles which are collected on a transparent disk or other surface employs an optical detector, such as a CCD camera, to obtain images of the disk, and a computer for analyzing the images. From the images, the computer detects, counts and sizes particles collected on the disk. The computer also determines, through comparison to previously analyzed images, the particle fallout rate, and generates an alarm or other indication if the rate exceeds a maximum allowable value. The detector and disk are disposed in a housing having an aperture formed therein for defining the area on the surface of the disk which is exposed to the particle fallout. A light source is provided for evenly illuminating the disk. A first drive motor slowly rotates the disk to increase the amount of its surface area which is exposed through the aperture to the particle fallout.

Abstract: A quality and/or flow meter employs a capacitance probe assembly for measuring the dielectric constant of flow stream, particularly a two-phase flow stream including liquid and gas components. The dielectric constant of the flow stream varies depending upon the volume ratios of its liquid and gas components, and capacitance measurements can therefore be employed to calculate the quality of the flow, which is defined as the volume ratio of liquid in the flow to the total volume ratio of gas and liquid in the flow. By using two spaced capacitance sensors, and cross-correlating the time varying capacitance values of each, the velocity of the flow stream can also be determined. A microcontroller-based processing circuit is employed to measure the capacitance of the probe sensors. The circuit employs high speed timer and counter circuits to provide a high resolution measurement of the time interval required to charge each capacitor in the probe assembly.

Abstract: A self-calibrating, remote programmable signal conditioning amplifier system employs information read from a memory attached to a measurement transducer for automatic calibration. The signal conditioning amplifier is self-calibrated on a continuous basis through use of a dual input path arrangement, with each path containing a multiplexer and a programmable amplifier. A digital signal processor controls operation of the system such that a transducer signal is applied to one of the input paths, while one or more calibration signals are applied to the second input path. Once the second path is calibrated, the digital signal processor switches the transducer signal to the second path, and then calibrates the first path. This process is continually repeated so that each path is calibrated on an essentially continuous basis. Dual output paths are also employed which are calibrated in the same manner.

Abstract: A gas-liquid cleaning spray system employs one or more converging-diverging nozzles to accelerate a gas-liquid mixture to a supersonic velocity for cleaning various types of articles, such as mechanical, electrical and fluid components. The gas, such as air or nitrogen, is supplied at high pressure to a nozzle body where it is mixed with cleaning liquid, such as water or liquid detergent, which is supplied to the nozzle body at a relatively low flow rate. Acceleration of the gas-liquid mixture to a supersonic velocity eliminates the need for a high pressure, high flow rate and high volume liquid supply. After the components are contacted with the gas-liquid mixture, the cleaning liquid can be recaptured and analyzed for cleanliness verification of the components.

Abstract: A system for imaging a flame and the background scene. The flame imaging system consists of two charge-coupled-device (CCD) cameras. One camera uses a 800 nm long pass filter which during overcast conditions blocks sufficient background light so the hydrogen flame is brighter than the background light, and the second CCD camera uses a 1100 nm long pass filter, which blocks the solar background in full sunshine conditions such that the hydrogen flame is brighter than the solar background. Two electronic viewfinders convert the signal from the cameras into a visible image. The operator can select the appropriate filtered camera to use depending on the current light conditions. In addition, a narrow band pass filtered InGaAs sensor at 1360 nm triggers an audible alarm and a flashing LED if the sensor detects a flame, providing additional flame detection so the operator does not overlook a small flame.

Abstract: A system for detecting ultrasonic vibrations, such as those generated by a small leak in a pressurized container, vessel, pipe, or the like, comprises an ultrasonic transducer assembly and a processing circuit for converting transducer signals into an audio frequency range signal. The audio frequency range signal can be used to drive a pair of headphones worn by an operator. A diode rectifier based mixing circuit provides a simple, inexpensive way to mix the transducer signal with a square wave signal generated by an oscillator, and thereby generate the audio frequency signal. The sensitivity of the system is greatly increased through proper selection and matching of the system components, and the use of noise rejection filters and elements. In addition, a parabolic collecting horn is preferably employed which is mounted on the transducer assembly housing.